Statewide charter board unveils interactive annual report, says legislature passed agency budget items pending governor's signature

The Statewide Virtual Charter School Board on Monday presented its second annual charter school report, an interactive data‑visualization platform that board staff developed with the Oklahoma Public School Resource Center and a three‑year Walton Family Foundation grant. Ben Si, who led the demonstration, described tools that allow users to compare market share, district‑relative performance, student‑group proficiency, and per‑pupil funding across charter and traditional schools.

Ben characterized the tool as designed for policymakers and families: “This is like the Super Bowl to me,” he said, emphasizing guided visualizations and short tutorial videos staff added to help users navigate complex comparisons. The platform shows brick‑and‑mortar charter composites rising (from about 21% to ~26.5% composite proficiency over a multi‑year window) while virtual schools’ performance has been largely flat; staff stressed the importance of comparing charters to the district context where they operate rather than only to statewide averages.

Separately, a budget presenter reported that both the state House and Senate have passed a budget that, as written, includes the agency’s $6.7 million request and a $3.4 million supplemental reimbursement to pre‑purchase Horizon courses; those appropriations are not final until the governor signs the bill. The presenter described the staff’s relief that the request was met in both chambers and cautioned that the funds are not yet in the agency’s coffers.

Staff and board discussion also highlighted a growing gap in state and local per‑pupil funding: staff said the difference between brick‑and‑mortar charter funding and traditional district funding has grown from roughly $600 per pupil to nearly $1,000 per pupil over recent years, a disparity board staff flagged as material for facilities and operational budgets. Board members asked about additional report features (for example, filtering by authorizer) and staff said authorizer‑level views are a logical next enhancement.

The board moved into an executive session later in the meeting to discuss pending litigation (Drummond v. Oklahoma Statewide Charter School Board and Ben Gama Jewish Charter School Foundation) under 25 O.S. 2021 and a 2005 Oklahoma Attorney General opinion; the motion to enter executive session and the motion to reconvene were approved by roll call. The meeting adjourned after reconvening.

Staff said they will present the report at the National Association of Charter School Authorizers and continue refining the platform based on board feedback; the legislature’s appropriations must be signed by the governor before funds are available.